When a defendant waives the right to pursue their sentence as part of a plea agreement, they may not pursue a direct appeal of their sentence even if they can prove they did not knowingly and voluntarily waive the right to do so. A defendant must seek to vacate their guilty plea in post-conviction relief.
Indiana Right to Life Victory Fund v. Morales, No. 23S‐CQ‐108, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Sept. 25, 2023).
Ind. Code 3-9-2-3 to -6 prohibits or otherwise limits corporate contributions to political action committees or other entities that engage in independent campaign-related expenditures.
Winans v. State, No. 23A-CR-80, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind. Ct. App., Sept. 26, 2023).
Where a defendant preserves their right to a jury trial, failure to object to a subsequently scheduled bench trial is insufficient to constitute waiver.
In re Z.H., No. 23A-JC-1120, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind. Ct. App., Sept. 27, 2023).
The filing of a motion to dismiss does not mandate dismissal of a CHINS case; the decision rests in the trial court’s discretion. Trial courts should review the reasons proffered in support of dismissal in light of the evidence and allegations and then determine whether dismissal is in the child’s best interests.
In re Adoption of E.S.J., No. 23A-AD-1161, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind. Ct. App., Sept. 28, 2023).
Ind. Code 31-19-2-2, regarding adoptions, is a special venue statute to which T.R. 75(A)(8) applies. Preferred venue lies in any county where the petition is to be filed under the statute.